Girls Aloud star hopes for Tour de France chain reaction after linking up with North Yorkshire singer and brass band

GIRLS Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh, Fame Academy contestant Alistair Griffin and a brass band immortalised by a movie have joined forces to record an anthem for Yorkshire’s Tour de France Grand Départ.

Welcome to Yorkshire, which led the winning bid to bring the Tour de France to Yorkshire, commissioned the singer-songwriter, from Castleton on the North York Moors, to write and perform the official song, which he has recorded with Grimethorpe Colliery Band, which featured in the film Brassed Off, and the Strictly Come Dancing star.

Ms Walsh said the song, titled The Road, was emotional and that people would be able to sing along to it.

She added: “The Grand Départ coming to Yorkshire for the first time ever is an historic moment and whether you love cycling or not, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Being a Yorkshire girl myself means the event has a special resonance with me because it’s my home county and the race will go through my home city of Bradford.”

Mr Griffin said the video accompanying the song would have “a Wuthering Heights feel to it”, showcasing the dramatic countryside.

He said: “When Welcome to Yorkshire first asked me, no was never an option, I was delighted to be asked.”

The Road will be released on June 30 with pre-orders available now at www.letouryorkshire/theroad